traceyc

I was a 9 and now can wear 8 1/2. My 9s fit better now too. I was an 8 to 8 1/2 before I gained weight so I don't expect to drop much more if at all.

I tried crackers about 4 weeks out. My sleeve loves them. One of my go to lunches is lunch meat and cheese on a cracker. Less filling than bread. I limit 8 crackers since I use 2 slices of cheese cut into fours. It is about 20 to 25 grams of protein for the crackers, lunch meat and cheese.

I stopped protein shakes as soon as I could eat enough to get all my protein through food. My doctor said that 5 small meals a day is fine if I couldn't get my calories and protein in 3 meals. I do sometimes feel like I am eating all the time! I don't track my cals and protein much anymore. Did it a couple months and now I can estimate pretty well on my own.

I had coffee 2 weeks out and did fine. Caffeine was not restricted on my post op diet. This seems to be one of those things that each doctor is different on. I drink my coffee with fat free milk and no sugar.

I was in pain where my largest incision was for about a month after surgery. It did feel like my belly was pulling on it especially if I bent over even a little bit. It got better each day so I wasn't worried. If it isn't getting better or gets worse, call your doctor for sure. I was able to control the pain with liquid Tylenol.

I think you will lose more for sure. Seems like everyone hits stalls, some more than others. I stalled pretty much the entire month of April on the scale. I didn't gain anything and I dropped a pant size though so not too frustrated. How many calories are you taking in? You may want to try experimenting with raising your calories a little and see if it kicks your body into losing. If they are low it could be in starvation mode. I raised my calories last week and started losing again. Just something to consider.

I had a bad hiatal hernia repaired with my sleeve. It basically cured my horrible reflux issues so I would recommend getting it fixed if it is an option. I don't know about being covered as a complication. I would ask for sure if it is covered.

I agree, check with your surgeon to be sure. The bloating and cramping sounds more like a bug, but wouldn't hurt to put your mind at ease. Keep hydrated and hope it is better soon!

I got some cheap ones at Walmart. Not great but I knew I wouldnt use them long.

It is hard to not get frustrated. I feel the same. There is a lot of give in plus size clothing and that adds to the frustration. I started as a tight 22 and now 18 are loose but 16 is too tight. Wth! I love my sleeve but impatience sometimes gets the best of me. I have to keep reminding myself how amazing it is I have lost over 50 lb and I will get to goal soon enough.

I would stay away from carbonation especially that soon out. It will probably hurt. I had a couple sips of alcohol 4 weeks out and it burned. It was very uncomfortable. Your stomach is still healing so be careful! I would personally stick to nonalcoholic for now and no carbonation.

I did the sweet potato and carrot baby food. You have to add some salt and I added a tiny bit of butter to make it not so bland. I make a green been Parmesan soup that you basically boil the beans in chicken broth and then blend. This helped with my veggie craving. Look up some easy blended soup recipes. I have made blended soup with a bunch of different veggies broccoli, butternut squash, spinach, arugula, asparagus, etc... Since you boil and then blend (I use immersion blender) great for mushie. Plus great protein with chicken broth and cheese added.

I was approved through UHC in 2011 but decided to wait until Feb so they may have covered longer in some areas. They did try to not pay part of my hernia repair saying it was medically unnecessary but my doctors office fought it and got paid. I think keep calling the insurance co until you get some answers.

Wow, sorry you are going through this. Did the insurance provide you or your doctor a letter with your approval prior to surgery? I would start digging for a paper trail so you can fight this.

Salad and raw veggies would be my suggestions since it will be awhile before you can have those. I agree with bagel too, I have been craving one!

I tried some wine 4 weeks out and it burned, did not feel good. Waited and tried again 9 weeks out and was fine then. You feel the alcohol much faster, so be careful and sip slow.

Broth for sure is a must for clear liquids. Maybe a couple cans of cream soups like cream of chicken (you will still have to blend these) for when you start full liquids. Don't buy too much, I way over bought and still have a pantry full of soup. Milk and V8 were great for me when I could do full liquids too. I also needed SF pudding to take my PPI.

Chicken wings. I never ate them before because I didn't like meat with bones and they are messy. Now I eat them out a lot since they are small and high protein. Also low carb. Plus I eat them so slow it is perfect.

So early out I wouldnt worry about calories much yet. Once you get to solid foods the calories naturally go up. Just worry about getting in your protein and fluids. I could only do about 400 calories in the second and third week. Since about week 6 i have been doing around 1000.

Stick to tall for sure. Just the right volume. What you drink depends on what you are counting carbs? Cals? Etc... Here is their nutritional guide to help you decide. I do a tall soy latte. http://www.starbucks.com/menu/catalog/nutrition?drink=all#view_control=nutrition&drink=all&page=undefined

Yes! I had no caffeine restrictions thankfully. I love my coffee.

I too only had the aspirin restriction. You could try a cream like icy hot or a heating pad to help with the pain.

I had a $50 copay. I did an hour session talking and then a huge question/answer that was multiple choice that took about an hour and a half. My results were sent to my surgeon's office, they were never discussed past them saying there were no issues.

Do you have a way to check your blood pressure? Some people experience a low blood pressure after sitting for awhile and then standing. The buzzing might be your heart rate going up to compensate. It could just happen on days when you haven't yet had enough hydration or something. Wouldn't hurt to discuss with your doc. Read the "Low blood pressure on standing up (postural or orthostatic hypotension)" on this site: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/low-blood-pressure/DS00590/DSECTION=causes